Cleaning your jacket

Happy New Year's Eve!! Hope everyone is doing something great to countdown the New Year! Whether it's dancing the night away at a club or it's relaxing at home and watching the ball drop, enjoy! With it being cold out, you are naturally going to be wearing a coat. If this coat is wool, and you happen to get a little something on it (which is bound to happen in a crowd full of people), don't panic! Here are a few ways to care for your wool coat. My coat will be leather because I just got an A-MAZING leather jacket yesterday, so here are tips for that too!


WOOL
1. Don't wash it! First things first, check the tag. Some wool you are allowed to launder, others not. If you are, just wash it like that. If it says to spot or dry clean, do NOT throw it in the washer! It will come out looking like a coat for a 2 year old. You can try using the dry cleaning kits, such as Dryel.
2. Spot clean. If the entire coat does not need to be cleaned, just spot clean it. Use cold water or stain remover to clean the spot. If the stain is food related, try rubbing the stain with carbonated water.

LEATHER
1. Surface clean. Wipe of any dirt on the surface using a soft cloth.
2. Soap and water. Dampen a soft cloth with some water and a small amount of hand soap. Work into a lather and apply to the leather coat.
3. Wipe off. Wipe the soap off with a slightly damp cloth. Follow with a swipe from a dry cloth.
4. Olive oil. Moisten a piece of cloth with some olive oil. Gently buff the leather with the cloth. You may use a leather conditioner instead.

Moments of 2010

Wow 2010 went by so fast! It seriously feels like it went by in such a blur! A lot of wonderful things happened this year, but I compiled a list of my Top 5 Moments.

1. Visiting California with 3 of my close friends! We saw almost everything and had such a wonderful time, complete with memories and endless photos!

2. Starting my nanny job. I began working for a wonderful family and watch 2 great kids! I love watching Mandie go through all the stages of child development and doing fun outings with Michael.

3. Spending lots of time with family, especially throughout the months of October (my sister came home for a visit), November (Thanksgiving), and December (Christmas!).

4. Concerts. I attended quite a few concerts which were a lot of fun.

5. Visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! I had been waiting months to see it, and it was everything I could have hoped for.

The power of a drier sheet

While the lack of humidity makes the weather appear wonderful, it is disastrous for hair during the winter! Alas, the power of a drier sheet!

1. Not only do they rid the static in the drier, but it also works in your hair. Just rub and rid.

2. Electricity is everywhere! You touch someone, and zap! Put a drier sheet in your coat pocket and it will eliminate getting electrocuted.

3. Wipe surfaces of clothing, TV screens and computer monitor to remove static.

4. Place at the bottom of a garbage bin...it helps!

5. Place in smelly shoes overnight.

6. Place in drawers for a fresh scent.

7. Place in your suitcase and gym-bag to eliminate the smell.

8. Dust your blinds.

9. Clean pet hair from the floor or furniture.

10. Loosen caked-on food from a pan. Place a dryer sheet on the bottom of a dirty pan, fill with lukewarm water, and let it sit in the sink overnight. The pan will be easier to clean in the morning.

DIY glitter

Merry Christmas Eve!! Hope everyone is doing something wonderful with family for the holidays! It's been a busy week, but I will not deny you another post, especially when it's Fashion Forward Friday!

I love glitter for the holidays! Nothing says Christmas spirit like some eye catching shimmer. Here are some GREAT ideas for DIY Glitter, just in time for the big day!

1. OPI Burlesque Glitter Nail Polish. I got the purple one called "Show it and Glow it!" and I absolutely love it! My fingers look like a disco ball right now! I also just bought a Burlesque color that isn't as glittery as the ones on the left. It's called "Teasy Does It" which I also really love.

2. Hair Spray. Add a little glitter to our hair spray to add some shine! So easy!

3. Shoes. If you have some old shoes that you want to vamp up, put some rubber cement on the toes and add some sequins or glitter!

4. Nails. Another good nail tip that's a bit cheaper than new nail polish would be craft glitter. Put a coat of clear (or whatever) nail polish on your nails, sprinkle glitter, and put a top coat or 2 over it!

5. Applique. Add some crystal tattoos to your tights for a cool look.




Happy Glittering! And a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!!!

Traditions

I love how each family has traditions of their very own. It is so great that on Christmas each family does basically the same thing, but in a different manor. Everyone (that celebrates Christmas) wakes up early, grabs their stocking, and rips open the presents. But, not every family does it in that order or in the same way. 

For my family, we wake up when we wake up (there aren't any kids waking up at 6) which is usually around 8. We then grab a cup of tea and our stocking and open them up. In our stockings are individually wrapped little presents that we take turns going around opening (the stocking is by far my favorite part). After stockings, we eat breakfast. When I was a kid, we waited for my grandparents to get to my house before opening presents. Because we became accustomed to waiting for them, it's normal for us to take showers and eat breakfast before opening presents. So, usually after showering and getting dressed, we open our presents. My sister and I usually go around and find whose present is who's and makes little stacks in front of the person it belongs to. We then go around in circles and open the presents one by one. It always really bothered me in Home Alone 2 and in other movies when the kids see their presents and rip them all open, not even watching what each other gets. Those movies make it seem like Christmas is all about gifts, and not appreciating the thought that went into them. After presents, we start cooking for our Christmas dinner. My grandmother is in a nursing home, so we always go visit her and give her her presents around noon. We then come home, eat dinner around 4 or 5, and I sometimes go visit my dad and other grandma in the evening. That's my Christmas!

I have a really busy Christmas day, but it is wonderful in every way! Merry Christmas to everyone!

Reindeer food

Being a kid on Christmas time is the best ever. I remember being so excited for Santa coming and would track him on the phone and on the news. The little boy I nanny for is 6 years old and he just got a Christmas elf. Basically, you buy the elf and it reports back to Santa each night; each morning, you look for the elf because he changes his hiding spot (parents move the elf to another hiding spot in the house). The kids can tell the elf what they want for Christmas, but to not mess with the Christmas magic the elf can not talk to the kids, but can talk to the parents. It is so cute, and he is adamant that he sees the elf move its arm!

One of the many fun things that kids can do for Christmas is make reindeer food and sprinkle it on the lawn. It's fun and easy to make, so spread some Christmas cheer with your kids and/or kids you nanny for.

You will need:
Raw oatmeal
Glitter or colored crystals
Sugar
Plastic lunch baggies
Ribbon
Paper or cardstock

1. Pour about 1/4 cup of oatmeal in a baggie.
2. Add 1/8 cup granulated sugar
3. Add glitter
4. Attach a ribbon to the front of the baggie a message.

*It doesn't really matter how much oatmeal, sugar and glitter you use. Just have fun with it!
*Glitter can harm birds and other wildlife, so using colored sugar crystals is a great alternative!

Messages you can use:
"On Christmas Eve, sprinkle this wonderful Reindeer food on your lawn.
The shiny glitter will sparkle in the moonlight and the smell of oats will guide Rudolph to your home."

"Make a wish and close your eyes tight,
then sprinkle on your lawn at night.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
this food will guide them to your home.
For your gift to the reindeer and Rudolph, your wish may be real, your dreams may come true."

"Be sure to take this magic food and sprinkle on the lawn,
On Christmas, Santa's reindeer travel miles before the dawn.
The smell of oats and glitter path will guide them on their way,
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn on Christmas day!"

Tips on tipping

Not sure how generous to be for the holiday season when it comes to tipping? Here is a quick guide to how much you should spend on normal services. This is the holiday season, so tip as much as you can! If you can't give money, maybe give a gift. Courtesy of The Today Show.

Waiters - Give what's in your heart. If you go somewhere regularly, tip a little more or tip the same all year round. I always tip 20% year round, so I like to do a little more for the holidays.

Postal workers - They are not allowed to accept cash, but they can accept a give if it doesn't exceed $20. Give them something less than $20 or a bottle of booze.

Hair stylist/barber - Be generous and tip on the price of the cut. 100% tip for the holiday season. Yes, this means that if your cut is $30, you tip $30. This is the same for dog groomers.

Nanny - Live in nanny's should get a months pay tip, au pairs should get a weeks pay, and babysitters should be tipped a little more for the night.

Garbage men - $20 or bottle of booze. If they are taking away illegal things all year for you, tip them.

Dog walkers - 1 week pay

Last minute gifts

In a bind, or just simply forgot about a certain friend for the holidays? It's okay, everybody does it and you still have a few days left! Here are a few ideas for quick last minute gifts that will be greatly appreciated. You won't even have to feel bad about forgetting about them, because these gifts are great!


Wine Label. A nice bottle of wine is a great go-to gift for the holidays. Turn up your creativity this year and personalize the wine with a decorative wine label. Try a label with red and green and write a holiday greeting. 

Monogram Wall Art. Creative a decorative and personalized monogram to give as a handcrafted Christmas present. Paint a wood letter a neutral color and decorate with button, ribbons, and other embellishments. You can either keep it styled for year round, or can add Christmas colors and elements to make it for the holidays. If this is for a family, use the last initial.

Personalized Tin. If you baked a bunch of cookies for the holidays, or any other tasty treat, here is the perfect idea! Grab a plain tin and adorn with festive paper, ribbon and a framed message. Attach decorative wrapping paper to the lid using spray mount, double-sided tape, or glue. Write or print out a note inside of the frame.

Other great gift ideas: candles, soap (with the colored chunks), flowers, book ends, door stoppers, and picture frames with a memorable picture inside. Think outside the box!!

Holiday party wear

Wanting to look hot for that holiday party you are going to?? This season is glimming with glamour!! There are so many fun things you can do to spice up your outfit for that perfect occasion. Here's a few ideas for some parties you may be attending.

Cocktail party - Wear a little black dress with fun! Try one with feathers to spice it up, or just dress up one you own with a little bling of accessories. Sparkly heels or a great necklace work wonders.

House party - Here, you want to be casual, but want to stand out. Sweater dress with over sized sequins, a cute fedora hat, leggings and heels or boots.

Dinner party - Here, you want to look a little more polished and refined. Try a black tight turtleneck with a bright red skirt. Add some black tights and booties or heels.

Work party - You want something that transitions from day to evening well. Try trousers and a faux fur vest. Add sparkle with a sparkly hat and/or clutch.

New Years Eve party - your one time that you can wear sequins and shine! Add a little bling on the shoes and add some chandelier earrings. Keep the accessories in the same color scheme, such as silver or gold.

Sweet silverbells

I really don't tire of the Christmas music. In all honesty, I don't listen to it a lot, so I pace myself for the season. I think that's the way to go! Here is a list of my Top 10 Favorite Christmas songs. Merry Christmas!

1. Oh Holy Night (I absolutely love this song, sung by anyone)
2. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
3. Last Christmas
4. Carol of the Bells
5. Baby It's Cold Outside (Elf anyone??)
6. Silent Night
7. Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer (you know you love it too!)
8. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
9. Angels We Have Heard on High
10. We Need a Little Christmas